by our College Data Analytics Team
[Journalism](/majors/communication-journalism-media/journalism/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value journalism schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.
Austin Community College District tops our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,007 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $44,895. Set against $8,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Journalism graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for journalism. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $32,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Langston University one of the best values for journalism. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,863, compared with $14,616 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $30,017 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Langston University earn a median of $39,579 early in their careers. Set against $30,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #5 place for journalism. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $18,062 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $33,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Arizona State University came in at #7 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $19,937. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $43,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #8 position for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $36,226. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #9 among the best values for journalism. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #10 spot for journalism value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $24,250. Journalism graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $36,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #11 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Journalism graduates carry a median of $19,877 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $38,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #12 spot for journalism value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $13,606 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $32,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Arizona placed #13 among the best values for journalism. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,520 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $36,521. Set against $20,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #14 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Journalism graduates carry a median of $20,847 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $33,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in journalism this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $31,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Texas Tech University came in at #16 for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $29,622 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas Southern University placed #17 among the best values for journalism. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Journalism graduates carry a median of $34,750 in student loans. Journalism graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $18,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $39,336 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #19 position for value in journalism this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Journalism graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $28,139 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value journalism schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $20,031. Early-career journalism graduates make about $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Texas Christian University earned the #21 position for value in journalism this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $22,960. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Ashford University landed the #22 spot for journalism value this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Journalism graduates carry a median of $43,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $32,459. That is a strong return on a $43,250 median debt.
Southern Methodist University placed #23 among the best values for journalism. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $19,448 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $40,502 early in their careers. Set against $19,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University came in at #24 for value in journalism this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,959 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $35,675. Set against $23,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.